podcastforsmallbusinessowners

In this episode of the Small Business Connections, Ann talks money and financial tips with CEO and Founder of Crusaders 4 Change, Shay Cook.

We discuss the five M.O.N.E.Y. Keys to Freedom:

-Manage

-Opportunity

- Necessity

-Experience

-You

Shay Cook is an Accredited Financial Counselor and Financial Fitness Coach who helps people with their personal finances. Shay has both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Psychology. Understanding how people feel about money helps her determine the best course for her clients to manage their money and goals. Her mission is to help people become financially healthy and maintain financial freedom.

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield 

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

The Power of Attention: Awaken to Love and Its Unlimited Potential with Meditation by Sarah McLean

Thank you to the Warrior Music Foundation for sponsoring this episode.

The Warrior Music Foundation offers free music therapy and music lessons to our active duty military, veterans and their families by providing a venue for learning, healing and camaraderie using music. The Foundation's goal is to improve mental health in the military community one person at a time. Please take a few minutes and visit their website, Facebook or Instagram to see the amazing work they are doing for our military and veterans.

The Small Business Connections Podcast is hosted by Ann Brennan, owner of ASMM Digital Marketing. The podcast was created as a means of helping her clients build a community around their brands. Since its inception, the podcast has grown to include guests from around the world and has been listened to in over 20 countries.

Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe. 

In this episode of Small Business Connections, Ann talks with Jonathan Kiekbusch, a life long entrepreneur and Founder of SEOButler, The i2W Agency and the WeRCMO.

Jonathan shares his experiences and expertise as we discuss:

-Recruiting the right team

-The Sleeping Giant Strategy for scaling your business

-Why SOPs are crucial and how to build them

-How to work ON your business, not IN it

-How not to take advantage of small businesses' marketing

Jonathan shares that recruiting, growing and developing new businesses is not a one size fits all strategy. He recommends leveraging what you do really well to figure out the best use of your time. Deciding to recruit and hire requires the discovery of your hourly worth.

Jonathan reminds us that being an entrepreneur is naturally stressful and time consuming. Analyzing the stress of caring for your business and managing the stress and work/life balance is crucial to both the success of your business and yourself. Jonathan suggests getting out of the trenches of your business for a different perspective of how your business operates. This is vital for growth and useful for determining your business SOPs. Successful business owners will look at their business from the outside in.

Jonathan recommends examining your business this way:

-You serving the customer

-You serving the team

-The team serving the customers

Mentioned in this episode:

Jonathan joins us from Brighton, UK.

His most used social media platform is Facebook.

The Small Business Connections Podcast is hosted by Ann Brennan, owner of ASMM Digital Marketing. The podcast was created as a means of helping her clients build a community around their brands. Since its inception, the podcast has grown to include guests from around the world and has been listened to in over 20 countries.

Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe.

We once again welcome Compliance Expert and DPT, Daniel Hirsch, to the podcast to discuss the necessity of having a Compliance Program in your practice. Here’s the secret: NO division of your practice is safe from violation in Compliance (and the penalties are steep!). Therefore, you must take responsibility by getting educated on how to stay compliant - be proactive and prepared. 

Episode at a glance: 

• People are not allocating enough time to Compliance 
• For staff and patient safety - you need a Policy & Procedure Manual  
• Don’t rely on memory to remember guidelines 
• Must be ongoing and constantly updated  
• The laws are always in flux and vary state by state 
• Compliance touches every division of your practice 
• We tend to ignore the things that we don’t understand 

Don't risk a violation - Check out our Compliance Program

In this episode of Small Business Connections, Ann talks about how depression doesn't always look sad with The Mental Health Comedian, Motivational Speaker, and TEDx Talk Trainer, Frank King. As a suicide prevention and postvention speaker, Frank has been on TEDx Talk several times. As a keynote speaker, he talks with companies and meets with their teams about mental health, suicide prevention and postvention. He talks about the serious side and also adds some humor to educate people in knowing the signs of depression and the importance of speaking up about mental health.

We discuss:

-Why he became a comedian

-His TEDx Talks

-How he became a TEDx Talks coach

-Tips for you to apply to be on your own TEDx Talk

-You are not alone

Frank has been a stand-up comedian for 34 years and joins us from Eugene, Oregon. Stand-up comedy is his way of making a living and a difference in the world. He found his way to Tedx Talks when his wife mentioned he should apply. As a person who battles his depression and chronic suicidal ideation, Frank shares his self-care plan and the analogy of Sisyphus, his rock and the hill.

Frank shares how to apply to invited to speak on a TEDx Talk. You have to have an idea worth sharing, something you are passionate about. Google TEDx Talk applications to see what is already out there and be creative in your title and hook.

Ann and Frank stress that you can find hope in something you love. They discuss hopelessness and helplessness and stress the importance of if you think someone is showing signs of depression, ask them if they are having thoughts of suicide. Ask them if they have a plan. If they are having these thoughts and do not have a plan, make the phone call to the crisis line. If you are not physically with them, call the police to do a wellness check. You can make a difference and you can save a life.

Franks Favorite Books of Business:

The Message of You: Turn Your Life Story into a Money-Making Speaking Career by Judy Carter

Liv to Tell by Olivia Sain

You may reach Frank at each of these links:

Your TEDxCoach.com

TheMentalHealthComedian.com

858-405-5653

Also mentioned in this episode:

Suicide Crisis Line Text- 741741

Burgers & Bands for Suicide Prevention- this charity is where Ann expresses her passion for stopping suicide. Burgers & Bands is an event built in and around our, Anne Arundel County community to not only bring awareness and raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention but also to show people in our community that they are not alone.

The Small Business Connections Podcast is hosted by Ann Brennan, owner of ASMM Digital Marketing. The podcast was created as a means of helping her clients build a community around their brands. Since its inception, the podcast has grown to include guests from around the world and has been listened to in over 20 countries.

Thank you for listening, be sure to subscribe and most importantly- #YouAreNotAlone

As entrepreneurs, we spend so much time taking care of others. Whether we are taking care of our employees, our customers, or our families, our days are spent focusing on anything but ourselves. In this episode of Small Business Connections, Ann discusses why you need to make you and your health your number one priority with Janis Isaman of My Body Couture.

As the founder of My Body Couture, a one-on-one private studio, Janis provides customized, individual movement and nutrition coaching. Her certifications include AADP, Critical Alignment and Yoga Therapy, Rainbow Kids Yoga, STOTT PILATES II, TRX suspension training, Yamuna Body Rolling  and Yin Yoga.

Janis' unique "discipline-agnostic" approach has helped hundreds of people navigate their body issues through education and movement techniques to full body sustainability. Janis is also a speaker, facilitator, instructor and mother.

Janis has been quoted in Reader's Digest, Prevention, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, Working Mother, Sparkpeople, MyFitnessPal and Beachbody.

Ann mentions her charity, Burgers & Bands for Suicide Prevention and the importance of asking for help. It can be lonely out there and she wants everyone to know - #youarenotalone

The Small Business Connections Podcast is hosted by Ann Brennan, owner of ASMM Digital Marketing. The podcast was created as a means of helping her clients get in front of more people. Since its inception, the podcast has grown to include guests from around the world.

Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe.

In this episode of Small Business Connections, Ann discusses how to Master the 4 Intangible Secrets for Massive Influence with Dean Forbes, the High Impact Coach of Xpertmastery.com. With over 20 years of experience, Dean knows the feeling in your gut telling you, I want to help others. Dean helps people focus on influence to raise their level of impact.

The 4 Intangible Secrets to master:

-Having a Captivating Presence

-Authentic Empathy

-Power of Vulnerability

-Proactive EQ

Ann and Dean have a great discussion, diving into each of these intangible secrets. They stress the importance of finding your purpose and knowing you have value to offer the world.

Dean says- putting these secrets together, creates a powerful and magical potion to make change, and he strives to embody these words.

Together with, Jared Heinz they created Xpert Mastery and are offering a master class sharing how to spread your message and raise your impact factor.

Dean's Favorite Books of Business

Art of War by Sun Tzu

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

The Big Leap by Gay Hendrick

Mentioned in this episode:

Ann is the CEO of ASMM Digital and created this podcast as a way of helping her clients connect with current and potential clients during the pandemic. Ann goes live with every episode and then publishes the podcast from the live show.

Ann sheds light on finding your purpose. She recommends taking those necessary moments to find your purpose. Ann shares that Burgers & Bands for Suicide Prevention is her purpose. She created this charity with her family to spread the word that you have a purpose and #youarenotalone

Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe.

In this episode of Small Business Connections with Ann Brennan, Ann discusses the 5 Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur with Arthie Moore, joining us from South Africa. Arthie developed two successful international companies:

Celebrating Humanity International as an International Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

Ki Leadership Institute specializing in exclusive values-based leadership training programs, with a focus on creating an impact in many countries

The 5 Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur

- Compassion - the key to influence in every aspect of your life

- Intentionality - how to impact people every day, respectfully and serving a more meaningful purpose

- Success Mindset - the insider secrets to recognizing and honoring different points of view help build hope

- Defining You - what makes you unique and what is the energy you exude

- Celebrating Humanity - how including a diverse team to fast track your company and seamlessly innovate your business

Arthie shares these essential skills to be a successful entrepreneur and reminds us all to live life with intention, where everyone feels honored and loved. She also stresses the value of listening to others with intention, adds value to you. Her business quote: "At the Level of Respect ALL People are Equal!"  

Books mentioned on the show-

Arthie's Favorite Book of Business

The New Learning Revolution 3rd edition by Gordon Dryden and Dr. Jeanette Vos

Ann's current Book of Business

How I Built This: The Unexpected Paths to Success from the World's Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs by Guy Raz

Mentioned in this episode:

Burgers & Bands for Suicide Prevention is Ann's Charity and was created to spread the word and importance of knowing #youarenotalone

Entrepreneurship can be lonely and we know many are struggling. Please reach out to someone and check on your strong friends.

The Small Business Connections Podcast is hosted by Ann Brennan, owner of ASMM Digital Marketing. The podcast was created as a means of helping her clients get in front of more people. Since its inception, the podcast has grown to include guests from around the world and has been listened to in over 20 countries.

Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe.

Here is something we’ve learned at MEG - you can almost never get too much training. So let’s dive in and learn how to make your “good deeds well known” through your PR & Marketing, so as to help more patients through your amazing care in physical therapy. It’s time to take control of your future as we enter the 4th Quarter by identifying your goals and strategizing how your Marketing can help you achieve them. 

Episode at a glance: 

• 4 Types of Owners 
• Identify your targets & objectives 
• Hire people with the “PR Personality” 
• PCR (Patient Care Rep) = Internal Marketing 
• Marketing Coordinator = External Marketing 
• Front Desk Coordinator is a part of Marketing! 
• 2-Month Marketing Campaign  

On today’s podcast, Brain is ready to have a discussion and drill down to the core of what’s really behind this 9% cut. As an advocate and member of the APTA, he refers to some of their material on the topic. It’s time to get positive - and change your operating basis. Tune in for some stabilizing advice & info on what this thing is and what to do about it.

 Episode at a glance: 

• Pay for what you use 
• Get your payroll under 60% of your total gross income - cut overhead 
• This cut = the conversion factor 
• Understand your RVUs (Relative Value Units) 
• You need 20% of your revenue to come from cash-based services 
• 40% increase in 5 year’s time for PT services 

In this episode of Small Business Connections with Ann Brennan, we talk about the importance of knowing your personal brand as a small business owner with Christine Gritmon of Christine Gritmon Inc.

We discuss:

-What your personal brand means to you, your clients and potential clients

-How to use social media as a means of networking

-How to become MORE human in this time of physical distancing

-How to use this unique time not just as a stop-gap, but as a time of much-needed permanent change in how we do interact online

-What people need from us now- our prospects, existing customers and our networks

Christine hosts workshops, training sessions, and her show-"Let's Talk About Brand" on Facebook and #ChatAboutBrand on Twitter. She is a personal brand coach, helping people rock their personal brand.

Christine's Favorite Books of Business

Content Mavericks: How to Grow Your Business with Insanely Shareable Content by Andrew and Pete

Twist: How Fresh Perspectives Build Breakthrough Brands by Julie Cottineau

Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing by Eric Butow, Jenn Herman and Stephanie Liu 

Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe.

On today’s podcast, we welcome guest Cathy Renkiewicz, DPT and Director of Virginian Rehabilitation and Wellness in Fairfax, VA. Brian sees it two ways: 1) you can either “wing it” through opening and expanding your practice OR 2) you can get the guidance and help that you need, and deserve. Tune in to learn about Cathy’s unique journey and how MEG helped her grow and expand successfully! 

Episode at a glance: 

• We have to take the responsibility to enhance the skills of those on our team 
• You need structure through Status Sheets and agreed-upon expectations 
• The people at your front desk are gold 
• The 5 Phase Hiring Process involves everyone 
• The ability to confront is not the same as “confrontation” 
• You cannot manage over a disagreement 
• Hiring is not a negotiation, it is a discussion 
• Have a market differentiator 

This, of course, will be individualized for everyone – but on today’s podcast, Brian reminds his listeners how to be the Go-Getter owner by refocusing their efforts and applying the changes necessary to have their practice emerge even stronger after the events of 2020. He poses both big-picture concepts and specific actionable items for success. Ask yourself: what is your ideal scene? Tune in to learn how to achieve this.

Episode at a glance:

• Ask yourself: what have I done this year to make a difference with my staff both personally and professionally?
• The need for admin personnel in your office is dwindling
• This is the time to retool your BRAND
• Update your Policies & Procedures (P&P Manual)
• You have to find the “cocktail” of Marketing strategies that work for you - different for where you are in the country, etc

On this week’s podcast, Brian compares his personal mindset pre-pandemic, to how it has shifted today. Conclusion: it’s greatly different in some ways, and the same in others. Tune in for some crucial questions to ask yourself for your staff, patients and practice to decide what strategies would be best for you in your individual circumstance. 

Episode at a glance: 

• Find the schedule that works for you 
• Clean out the clutter in your clinic! You need more floor space without paying more rent 
• You need to invest in the power players around you so you can trust them and get out of their way!  

We’re getting right down to it today folks, starting with this fact - PTs DO NOT BILL. In this podcast, Brain covers how to extinguish misunderstandings and misconceptions that may exist between new grads/staff and their Owners. As always: be transparent, communicate, and seek the facts for yourself.

Episode at a glance:

• Codes are a digital format of your narrative note so that the carriers’ systems can read and interpret what was done with their clients
• It all starts with the interview & onboarding process
• You must have company structure (and thereby Compliance) in place
• Give your new hires confidence in you as a leader
• Inspire your therapists to give an abundance of care
• Designate a Compliance team (with a Compliance officer) to avoid any issues in your practice

On this week’s podcast, Brian reiterates that this is the BEST time to evaluate every personnel move the practice owner is making as they start to bring their people back. Be respectful, open-minded, and real with your staff. He reminds that in order to be a good CEO and gain trust, you have to live by your commitments and show through actions that you are trustworthy! Tune in to learn how to effectively manage your personnel as a respected leader.  

Episode at a glance: 

• Reengineer your practice to align with your new company culture.
• Hire REAL people! Try to get past the “best foot forward” and straight to the real person. Don’t just hire the resume.
• Respect comes from those who can hold the line of accountability.
• Invest in your staff’s education - it’s the one thing that can never be taken away! (Consider an internal Learning Management System system!)
• Share your vision with your staff, and get their participation in it! The best-tasting cake is the one that you participated in making.

In this week’s podcast, Brian is joined by Michael Gorman (PhD, PT, DMT), one of our very own Executive Coaches at MEG, a former client, and Founder/Owner of iMOVETelePT. iMOVETelePT supplies a wealth of knowledge on Telehealth and serves as an excellent example of how to correctly implement it. The two discuss the importance of work/life balance as an Owner & CEO, and address specific elements of PT Telehealth that many people might have missed...

Episode at a glance:

• You have to invest in yourself to be a good leader, and improve your self-awareness
• How is iMOVETelePT different?
• Diversify your services (at least 3 revenue streams)
• Quotes from APTA and CMS on Telehealth details
• Talk with your Insurance agent to make sure you’re covered for Cybersecurity!

In this week’s podcast, Brian hits the refresh button. These podcasts are for YOU, the audience. Therefore, Brian opens himself up to receive any feedback you may have for us about our podcast! He then gets to the meat of the issue and focuses his audience’s attention on what is most important… your STAFF! Tune in to learn Brian’s top 5 tips (and more!) on how to best utilize your staff during these times and while under the PPP to avoid losing those that you value most in your business. 

Episode at a glance:

• You cannot manage over a disagreement
• Allow your staff to participate in your decision making - include them in the process!
• TRAIN YOUR STAFF, now is the best time!

On today’s podcast, Brian hits on the realities of what is needed as a CEO & Leader through this pandemic. He gives his best advice on how to manage the PPP loan, and how to stay grounded and objective during these unusual times. Brian encourages his listeners to look ahead and make the smartest changes for the present moment, and the near future. Tune in to learn how to be the most effective leader possible through these current challenges. 

Episode at a glance:

• A good CEO is creating/planning 3-6 months out 
• Keep the morale of your staff high! It’s likely they are feeling uncertain
• Invest in the greatest asset in your company: your people. Invest in training/educating yourself and your staff!
• Key secret to success: hire people with high responsibility level and then invest in them educationally (don’t “hire the resume”)

Life has been crazy for all of us within the past few weeks. In this week’s podcast, Brian addresses Compliance and strives to give his audience the means to raise the bar and think outside the box during these deeply transitional times. Tune in for advice on how to re-examine your life and ask yourself: “Am I living my life to my maximum potential?” It’s your turn - now is the BEST opportunity for change in your business. 

Episode at a glance:

• NO better time to start a business than right now
• Generate 20% of your revenue through cash-based services
• Hybrid restructuring for your business to capture innovative services
• Best businesses to come out of financial crisis do NOT miss window of time to train and invest in your staff
• Goal: increase consistency and responsibility within your clinic

On this week’s podcast, we welcome two Guest Speakers! Jason Waz (DPT, NeuPTTech) and Jillian Warwick (NTP, LiveWellBeyond.com, nutritional therapist) join Brian to discuss cash-based service options to help get practice owners through these challenging times. Remember, Brian recommends that 20% of your gross income be cash-based. 

Episode at a glance:

Jason Waz:

• In a way, the Neubie E-Stim technology allowed him to be somewhat prepared for this pandemic
• Cash-based referrals have not slowed down
• Neubie E-Stim: pulse-direct current device that addresses the Autonomic nervous system
• Can improve overall health through the nervous system.
• Improves Heart-rate variability (HRV).
• The machine system is mobile.

Jillian Warwick:

• Not a one-size-fits-all meal plan
• Finds out what works best for your body, bio-individuality
• Holistic approach 
• Root causes to certain symptoms
• Offers protocols that address specific issues (inflammation, digestion, hormonal health, anti-aging, etc)
• Can easily be done virtually, schedule is flexible

Jason Waz information: Website: https://neupttech.com

Jillian Warwick information: Website: livewellbeyond.com